FIRST

Supposedly my dog Patches

never exactly belonged to me

but he was patient and gracious

helping a kid learn to play "go get it"

("fetch" was a foreign word then)

and showing me when enough was enough

("Don't wear him out" dad said

"He gets tired just as you do)

Patches ran the trails with dad

and peacefully tolerated me

as I learned that dogs need praise

and water and love.

He didn't deserve that painful death

from distemper.

Gentle little dog

wherever you wait now

maybe you barely remember me

but I need to send belated thanks

for that long-ago start

towards many years

of incomparable friendships.

_________________________________________

This is not a picture of my Patches but looks very much like him.

Patches was my first dog, my best dog !